|
|
Carndonagh pupils praised for
drama skills
13.11.15
SOME of the best young
actors in Donegal including Inishowen took to the
stage of the Balor Theatre, Ballybofey, recently for
the annual Secondary Schools Drama Festival.
The festival was opened with a beautiful scene from
a play titled ‘Public Embarrassment’, directed by
Fiona McLaughlin and performed by students ranging
in age from twelve to sixteen years from Carndonagh
Community School.
The performance was described as "an energetic
ensemble piece involving great music and dancing and
was thoroughly enjoyed by both the cast and the
audience".
Organised by Teresa McGowan of the award-winning
Butt Drama Circle, the prestigious competition has
been running for more than forty years, giving the
youth of the county the opportunity to perform in
front of a live audience in a professional theatre.
There were four entries this year: Carndonagh
Community School, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair and two
productions by Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon. |
 |
|
The winning cast in the Donegal
Secondary Schools Drama Festival, Pobailscoil Gaoth
Dobhair. Pictured are Tarlagh Ó Dochartaigh
(Albert), Daire Cotter (Tarlagh), Laura Ní Duibir (Bríd)
Caitlín Nic Aoidh (Cait), Lorcan Ó Dochartaigh
(Manus), Odhran Mac Ruairai (Ruairi) and the
immigration officers were Daniel and Cian Rogers. |
Pobalscoil Ghaoth
Dobhair swept the boards on the night with a Best
Presentation award for ‘A View of the Clyde’, their
powerful Donegal-Glasgow adaptation of the American
classic ‘A View from The Bridge.’
Their teacher, Alison McLean, was also awarded the
cup for Best Director.
The festival was adjudicated by Maura Logue who
awarded many certificates of merit to participants
as well as five 'Outstanding Performance' plaques.
She paid tribute to their teachers who, she said, go
beyond the call of duty in taking on theatre
productions.
“Donegal is a rural county, so it takes an extra big
effort for students and their teachers to prepare
out-of-hours and take a bus on a cold Tuesday night
in November to attend a drama festival. And, what an
effort has been made to get here tonight with the
winners coming from Gaoth Dobhair, along with
schools as far away as Carndonagh and Ballyshannon.
An effort like that only comes with true passion,"
she added. |
|
